The following words and terms, when used in this Subchapter shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicate otherwise.

     "Commensurate Wage" means wages paid to a worker with a disability based on the worker's productivity in proportion to the wages and productivity of workers without a disability performing essentially the same work in the same geographic area.  Commensurate wages must be based on the prevailing wage paid to experienced workers without disabilities doing the same job.

     "Employment Assessment" means the evaluation that identifies the unique preferences, strengths, and needs of the service recipient in relation to work.  The assessment determines work skills and work behaviors, is supplemented by personal interviews and behavioral observations, and incorporates information that addresses the service recipient's desired medical, physical, psychological, social, cultural, and educational outcomes, as well as present and future employment options.  The assessment, which is updated annually or more frequently as needed, includes support needs, environmental preferences, and possible accommodations.

     "Enhanced Rate" means a differential rate established to provide an incentive to agencies to provide community employment services to service recipients with significant needs.

     "Group Placement" means two to eight service recipients situated close together, who are provided continuous, long-term training and support in an integrated job site.  Service recipients may be employed by the company or by the provider agency.  The terms "work crew" and "enclave" also describe a group placement.

     "Individual placement in job coaching services" means one service recipient receiving job coach services who:

• (A) works in an integrated job setting;
• (B) receives minimum wage or more;
• (C) does not receive services from a job coach who is simultaneously responsible for continuous job coaching for a group;
• (D) is employed by a community employer or the provider agency; and
• (E) has a job description that is specific to his or her work.

     "Individual placement in community-based services" means the service recipient is provided supports that enable him or her to participate in approved community-based activities, as described in OAC 317:40-7-5, individually and not as part of a group placement.

     "Integrated Employment Site" means an activity or job that provides regular interaction with people without disabilities, excluding service providers, to the same extent that a worker without disabilities in a comparable position interacts with others.

      "Job Coach" means an individual who holds a DDSD-approved training job coach certification and provides ongoing support services to eligible persons in supported employment placements.  Services directly support the service recipient's work activity  including marketing and job development, job and work site assessment, training and worker assessment, job matching procedures, development of co-worker natural and paid supports, and teaching job skills.

      "Job Sampling" means a paid situational assessment whereby a service recipient performs a job at a prospective employer's integrated job site, in order to determine the service recipient's interests and abilities.  Situational assessments adhere to the Department of Labor (DOL) regulations regarding wages.  The Team determines the appropriate type and number of situational assessments for each service recipient.

     "On-Site Supports" means a situation in which the job coach is physically at the job site providing job training to a service recipient.

     "Situational assessment" means a comprehensive community-based evaluation of the service recipient's functioning in relation to the supported job, including the job site, the community through which the service recipient must travel to and from the job, and the people at the job site such as the job coach, co-workers, and supervisor.

     "Sub-Contract With Industry" means the provider agency enters into a sub-contract with an industry or business to pay industry employees to provide supports to service recipients.  If the industry agrees, the provider agency may contract with an employee(s) of the industry directly to provide the services.  The state continues to pay the provider agency and the agency provides all pertinent information that is required for persons served by the agency.  The Team determines what, if any, training is required for the employees of the industry providing services.

     "Supported Employment" means competitive work in an integrated work setting with ongoing support services for service recipients for whom competitive employment has not traditionally occurred or has been interrupted or intermittent as a result of disabilities.

     "Unpaid Training" means unpaid experience in integrated employment sites in accordance with DOL regulations.  Service recipients do a variety of tasks, which do not equal the full job description of a regular worker.

     "Volunteer Job" means an unpaid activity in which a service recipient freely participates.